West Michigan’s manufacturing know-how brings Ag Tech company to Hudsonville, Mich.
Maui Greens is revolutionizing the Ag Tech industry with cutting-edge technological advancements in vertical farming. The company grows and sells clean, nutrient-dense produce in a way that reduces the fresh-food waste that can occur with traditional farm-to-fridge supply chains and uses 95% less water than open-field farming.
PROBLEMS
- Lettuce that doesn’t last through the supply chain and in the refrigerator
- Produce that is contaminated with pathogens
- Nutrient insufficient green-house-grown lettuce
- Increased demand on the agriculture sector
SOLUTION
- Alive and still-growing produce with staying power in the fridge
- A reliable farming system with mitigating effects on severe weather events
Maui Greens is supplementing the agriculture industry with cutting-edge technology. The company leverages integrated technologies in its vertical farming method to help meet increasing demands placed on the agriculture sector by a growing population. It also offers a food supply that is highly protected against weather conditions and can complement traditional farming.
PUTTING DOWN ROOTS IN MICHIGAN
This lettuce producer is located in Michigan’s ‘salad bowl’ by coincidence. The decision to establish its presence in Hudsonville came down to engineering talent. Maui Greens was looking for unique skill sets in robotics and smart manufacturing. The company employs engineers, technicians, biologists, and horticulturalists, as well as office and managerial staff in good-paying jobs.
West Michigan’s lakeshore offers an engineer-dense labor market with rich experience in manufacturing and lends itself to the design, build, and maintenance of the vertical grow modules that Maui Greens uses in its proprietary farming system.
The company works with automated solutions provider, Mission Design Automation in neighboring Zeeland, Mich., to help build the systems that meet their unique needs.
The company’s retail brand Aha! alive can be found on shelves at Bridge Street Market in Grand Rapids.
“We have a plant-first focus. We knew that the technical talent here would take us where we needed to go to grow clean, healthy plants from our vertical farming system.”
–Mark Stumpo, Chief Technology Officer, Maui Greens
HOW LAKESHORE ADVANTAGE HELPED
Lakeshore Advantage helped make key connections in the region for Maui Greens. Contact our business solutions team to find out how we can help you knock down barriers to growth on the lakeshore.